Strymar Livingston is a surefire Division I talent on the track. The Christopher Columbus star is one of the nation’s top middle distance runners.

In the classroom, he still had some work to do.

“Two years ago everyone knew he was running well,” said Michael Pearson, the former Columbus head coach who still trains Livingston. “He’s really come a long way in getting that together.”

Livingston was never in danger of not meeting the PSAL’s academic requirements, but needed to do a little more, especially when it came to Regents exams. Pearson had a talk with him early this season, saying that if he didn’t qualify for Division I he could go the Division II route or head to junior college and try to earn his way to a Division I school after two years.

Livingston would hear nothing of it.

“I was like, ‘I don’t want to go to junior college,’” he said. “I’ll keep on working hard and see where it goes. Then good came out of it.”

All of his hard work culminted in him verbally committing to run at Mississippi State next season, picking the Bulldogs over Baylor, Tennessee and Rutgers. The reigning New York Post track and field boys Athlete of the Year owns the national record in the 500 and 600 meters with times of 1:01.68 and 1:17.64, respectively. Livington currently owns the state’s fastest time outdoors in the 400 with a mark of 47.44. He will sign his National Letter of Intent next week.

“He is one who will be around for a very long time,” Pearson said.

Livingston, known for his extra gear and strong finishes, felt a comfort with Mississippi Srare coach Steve Dudley while talking during his official visit last weekend. He had similar goals for him, including an eventual chance to run in the Olympics and was going to make sure Livingston reaches his full potential. Livingston believes going to an area different from New York City will help keep him focused.

“He told me he is going to push me and push me,” Livingston said of Dudley. “That’s what Pearson does and I am going to need that.”

That’s exactly what Pearson along with current Columbus head coach Stephen Bonica did for him academically. He said it was about keeping him focused and dedicated and not being consumed by the distractions that come with being an elite athlete. The last piece of the puzzle to graduate is passing the English Regents, which he missed by just a point the last time. He has an 83 average..

“Let me tell you this boy worked his way through,” Pearson said.

It took some time and plenty of effort, put Livingston is ready to accomplish his goal and not setting for anything less than being the Division I athlete he knows he is. There was still some apprehension coming into the outdoor season, but that’s over now.

“[Pearson] said, ‘Don’t worry,” Livingston said. “I just got to do what I got to do academically and then do my work on the track. Now everything came out the right way.”